Oh What a Fright

I can't say that I imagined my sweet, innocent hometown of Mesquite would be host to a horror convention featuring nightmarish legends such as Kane "Jason" Hodder, Candyman Tony Todd and guest of honor Tobe Hooper, director of the ultra-scary Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I can't even imagine that, promoting his directorial debut, David Arquette, with Jason Mewes, would be on hand for his upcoming film, The Tripper. But it's all true. Oh, Mesquite, look how you've grown. Dread Central and PitofHorror.com have combined their evil powers to produce Fear Fest 2007, billed as Texas' largest horror convention, right in rodeoland. Though, personally, in terms of visiting celebrities, I would make my way over to Sid Haig. His creepy, smarmy turns opposite Pam Grier in The Big Doll House, Coffy and Foxy Brown made them the Tracy and Hepburn of the blaxploitation era, only to be reunited in 1997's Jackie Brown. In recent years, he was Rob Zombie's muse in both The Devil's Rejects and House of 1000 Corpses, which we bet is what brings this B-movie legend to the Bible Belt. Running 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, the convention will be held at the The Mesquite Hampton Inn and Convention Center, 1700 Rodeo Drive. Tickets are $20 to $79. For more information, call 940-898-6232 or visit txfearfest.com.
March 23-25, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.